Risk Factors for Dental Caries in Thalassemia Patients at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University

Abstract

Background and objective : Dental caries was a problem in thalassemia patients that should  receive prevention. The objective of this study was to investigate risk factors for dental caries in thalassemia patients at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University.

Methods : This cross-sectional analytical study  was conducted in 104 thalassemia patients and their parents  who volunteered to participate in this study between December, 2005 and September, 2006.  Data on patients were collected from medical records, questionnaires and oral examination records.  Bivariable analysis and multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify the factors associated with  dental caries.

Results : Results showed that risk factors for dental caries in these samples were income, dental plaque, beverage and crowding tooth.  Patients who their parents had low income had dental caries higher than patients who their parents had high income by adjusted odds ratio = 6.4 (95%CI = 1.1-35.0). Patient who had moderate to high dental plaque had dental caries higher than patient with low dental plaque by adjusted odds ratio = 4.9 (95%CI=1.1-23.3).  Patients who drank beverage had dental caries higher than patients who did not drink beverage by adjusted odds ratio = 5.9 (95%CI=1.3-25.7). Patients with crowding tooth had dental caries higher than patients without crowding tooth  by adjusted odds ratio = 4.9 (95%CI =1.04-23.3).

Conclusion: This study showed that risk factors for dental caries in these samples were income, dental plaque, beverage and crowding tooth.

Key words : risk factor,  dental caries , thalassemia